Is Christianity Wild?

A short course on the relationship between Christianity and the natural world. Many see Christianity as an urban faith, rooted in communities, carried out in buildings, focused on people. It can seem that the natural world is a pretty backdrop to faith, a picture window that we use to glimpse God and give thanks for beauty. But perhaps our relationship with nature is more than that? Maybe we have lost our visceral, earth sense of God in the world around us? Early Christians only knew God through their landscapes and the creatures that inhabited them. Books were for the educated and wealthy. But today the only nature in worship is in a vase or stained glass window. Can we, should we, welcome the natural world back into the centre of the Christian faith?

Mary Colwell is worker and producer specialising in natural history and the environment. She has made TV and radio programmes for the BBC Natural History Unit and has helped organise two International conferences on faith and the environment. She was voted in the top 30 conservationists in the UK by BBC Wildlife Magazine.

Led by: Mary Colwell

Please arrive for 6pm on Tuesday. Course ends with lunch on Thursday.

A short course on the relationship between Christianity and the natural world. Many see Christianity as an urban faith, rooted in communities, carried out in buildings, focused on people. It can seem that the natural world is a pretty backdrop to faith, a picture window that we use to glimpse God and give thanks for beauty. But perhaps our relationship with nature is more than that? Maybe we have lost our visceral, earth sense of God in the world around us? Early Christians only knew God through their landscapes and the creatures that inhabited them. Books were for the educated and wealthy. But today the only nature in worship is in a vase or stained glass window. Can we, should we, welcome the natural world back into the centre of the Christian faith?

Mary Colwell is worker and producer specialising in natural history and the environment. She has made TV and radio programmes for the BBC Natural History Unit and has helped organise two International conferences on faith and the environment. She was voted in the top 30 conservationists in the UK by BBC Wildlife Magazine.

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Special offers:

Multi-purchase: If you book three or more residential courses all at once, Ammerdown will give you 5% discount on the total fees (N.B. this 5% discount does not apply when a bursary has already been agreed)

Extend your stay: Subject to availability, you are welcome to extend your stay before or after your course. If you choose to do so, Ammerdown will give you a 5% discount on our standard ‘Private Stays’ rates: please contact the centre to arrange this.